Lancaster City Council to join Combined Authority for Lancashire

Lancaster City Council has agreed to join other councils across the county in setting up a Combined Authority for Lancashire, which it says will help to secure more investment and jobs for the county.

The vote follows a county-wide consultation in which 2,000 residents and businesses gave their views on the idea, with most respondents supporting the proposal. Ten other councils in the county have already backed the plan and three others will decide shortly.

A formal bid will now be submitted to the government which, if successful, would see the creation of a legal body enabling councils to work more closely together on strategic issues, such as the economy, transport and skills, to help secure more investment and jobs.

It would not involve a merger between councils.

Coun Eileen Blamire, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “It’s not about the creation of a ‘super council’ or local authorities merging, but giving us a stronger voice to influence central government.”

If the proposal gets the go ahead it would mean that councils can work as one democratically accountable body t avoid duplication and provide more efficient services, create a stronger basis for bidding for Government and EU money, make best use of budgets, speed up decision-making

Each council would still be responsible for the services it provides.

More information is available at www.lancaster.gov.uk/combined-authority.

It is not yet clear how the decision will affect jobs, or how much money it will save Lancaster City Council.